Branding and Ancient Egypt: Identity, Power and Eternity
- Brisa Reis
- 16 de abr. de 2025
- 4 min de leitura
This article is part of our series where we will share reflections, discoveries and dialogues related to branding. Investigating everything from ancient civilizations, such as Mesopotamia, to the trends that shape the 21st century.
Branding is more than symbols, logos, campaigns or digital strategies. It is about creating meaning, establishing identity and building relationships that stand the test of time. Although it is a modern concept, its fundamental elements – such as visual identity and narrative – were already present in ancient civilizations. Ancient Egypt is yet another example of how visual, symbolic and cultural practices were used to consolidate power, strengthen authority and immortalize ideas.
The Concept of Branding in Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt is a fascinating example of how identity, trust and symbolism were essential tools for consolidating power and influencing perceptions. Although the word “brand” did not exist at the time, its visual and narrative elements were already being used to reinforce cultural and political identities.
From the pyramids to the hieroglyphics, detailed and artistic, they carried a clear message: permanence, power, and connection to the divine. These symbols were tools to strengthen the status of the pharaohs and the cosmic order they represented.
The symbolic power of these visual marks was so strong that, to this day, we associate Egypt with ideas of permanence, majesty and mystery.
Cartridges: Identity of the Pharaohs
One of the most striking examples of this visual identity is the use of cartouches by the pharaohs. These frames, which enclosed the names of rulers, functioned as unique identifiers, almost like royal symbols and logos. Engraved on temples, statues and papyri, cartouches symbolized the legitimacy and divine connection of the pharaoh, ensuring his authority and immortality.
The presence of a pharaoh’s name on a building or object assured his “ownership” of that work and symbolized his relationship with the gods and the cosmic order. The vibrant colors, noble materials and detailed symbols reinforced the image of the pharaoh’s grandeur and divinity, creating a visual legacy that transcended generations. This practice resonates with modern branding, where consistency in visual identity is essential to building a strong and appropriate brand.
Artisanal Brands and Exclusivity
Ancient Egypt also valued reputation and quality in its craftsmanship. Egyptian artisans left marks or inscriptions on their creations, especially on luxury items intended for the nobility or the pharaoh. These signatures served as seals of quality that indicated the origin and excellence of the production.
Just as we associate certain brands with premium products today, the inscriptions of Egyptian artisans communicated exclusivity and status, helped to differentiate products and reinforced the reputation of their creators, showing that the principles of authenticity and personalization so valued today in contemporary branding were already present in ancient times.
It is incredible to see how Ancient Egypt already understood, in an extraordinary way, the power of creating brands and symbols capable of transcending time. Through their art and visual culture, they managed to immortalize ideas such as power, longevity and eternity. It is as if each temple, each hieroglyph, was an eternal declaration of the grandeur they wanted to convey.
Trade and Expansion of the Egyptian Brand
Ancient Egypt’s reach extended far beyond its borders, spreading its culture through trade and political alliances. Iconic images and easily recognizable symbols traveled along with Egyptian artifacts, which were found as far away as the Mediterranean and Mesopotamia. These objects, more than mere commodities, carried cultural elements that helped shape the perception of Egypt as a powerful and sophisticated civilization.
While this propagation was not a branding strategy in the modern sense, it shows how visual symbols can transcend territories and create close cultural connections. Like contemporary brands such as Apple or Louis Vuitton, which stand out for their unmistakable values and design, the “Egyptian brand” was immediately associated with attributes such as power, sophistication, and a sense of eternity that fascinated all the cultures around it.
Our Reflections
Micer Santos: Brisa, did you know that we can learn a lot about the concept of branding from Ancient Egypt? They used symbols, images and monuments to create a strong and cultural identity that still inspires today.
Brisa Reis: Absolutely, Micer! The Egyptians had an amazing sense of how to build a lasting image. When you look at the monuments, the hieroglyphics, and even the cartouches with the names of the pharaohs, it all inspires the creation of strong brands. They were consolidating power and, at the same time, communicating the cosmic and divine order.
Micer Santos: What I call "Egyptian Branding" is this: an incredible combination of strategy, symbolism and long-term vision. And look how interesting, Brisa, many modern brands can learn from this legacy. The pharaohs immortalized their names on cartouches, and today companies do something similar by using visual signatures and narratives to create strong and timeless brands.
Brisa Reis: It makes perfect sense! And let's not forget the Egyptian artisans who left their mark on luxury items. It was a way of communicating exclusivity and quality, which reminds me of personalized or limited edition products, for example.
Micer Santos: This is so relevant today because, at the end of the day, branding isn’t just about selling products, right? It’s about telling stories that inspire, create connections, and leave a legacy. What the Egyptians did still resonates in modern branding. Ancient Egypt teaches us that the power of a well-crafted symbol lies in its ability to tell a story that can carry meaning for generations. I think that’s the greatest lesson Egypt has to offer: creating something that goes beyond the present and inspires the future.
Micer Santos - Direction
Brisa Reis - Copywriter
Inspirations and sources: CLARK, T. Rundle. Símbolos e mitos do Antigo Egito. Editora: Hemus, 1998.
www.worldhistory.org / www.nationalgeographic.com
Build a strong identity, just like the symbols of Ancient Egypt. Request our Branding service!
This conversation doesn't end here... In the next post we will talk about the relationship between Ancient Greece and Branding.
